AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF SELENIUM AND VITAMIN C ON NICOTINE- INDUCED HEMATOTOXICITY, OXIDATIVE DAMAGE, HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS

Background: A significant public health issue is the abuse of nicotine through cigarette smoking. Free radical generation and oxidative stress are caused by nicotine. A micronutrient and element found in trace amounts in all living things is selenium. Ascorbic acid, a water-soluble antioxidant with multiple uses, is a form of vitamin C. It plays a significant function in the brain, nervous system, and immunological system, aids in boosting the immune system, and prevents various diseases. Aim of work: In the current investigation, adult male albino rats were used as experimental animals to determine the hemo-toxicity, hormonal toxicity, reproductive system toxicity, and oxidative damage caused by nicotine. Selenium and vitamin C were also evaluated for their potential protective benefits. Material and methods: This work was performed on 42 adult male albino rats weighing between 140-200 mg. The animals were divided into 7 groups, each containing 6 animals. All groups were treated daily, for 4 weeks. The Study Design was a distributed as: Negative control group, Positive control group, Nicotine group, Selenium group, Vitamin C group, Nicotine with Selenium group and finally Nicotine with Vitamin C group. Results: Our findings clearly showed that oral nicotine treatment caused harmful side effects in the testes, including hormonal alterations, hematological damage, and toxic consequences. These negative effects may be related to the development of oxidative stress. Nicotine administration combined with selenium and vitamin C provided protection from the harmful effects of nicotine.